05 Nov 2024

Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has reported significant advancements as it reaches the midpoint of its strategy, Lepelong ya Moleepi, which translates to “where there is a will there is a way.”

Launched in 2021 and set to conclude in 2025, the strategy aims to revitalise the BVI’s operations and diversify its product offerings beyond its flagship Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, well-known across Africa.

In an interview on Monday, BVI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Madeswi, highlighted the organisation’s need for transformation after nearly four decades in operation.

Mr Madeswi said the current strategy emphasised a thorough business model review and the adoption of several key pillars, including organisational restructuring and fostering a culture conducive to growth.

While the FMD vaccine continues to contribute significantly to the institute’s revenue, Mr Madeswi acknowledged the risks associated with reliance on a single product line.

To alleviate this risk, he said BVI has set a goal under a new “4:40 strategy,” which aimed to generate 40 per cent of its revenue from four additional product lines.

He noted that while diversification remained a work in progress, they had already increased contributions from other products to approximately 10 per cent, a promising sign of reduced dependence on FMD.

In addition to product diversification, the BVI was establishing an antigen bank to enhance its ability to respond quickly to vaccine demands and emergencies.

Mr Madeswi said by the end of the current financial year, stakeholders would be invited to witness the inauguration of what was anticipated to be the largest antigen bank in Africa.

The institute’s financial performance has improved markedly since Mr Madeswi took office in 2021, reversing losses that had exceeded P20 million in prior years to record profits.

In 2023, he said, BVI achieved P245 million in revenue and a profit of P46 million, marking unprecedented historical growth for the organization.

Despite some challenges related to delayed payments from customers, particularly government institutions, the CEO expressed optimism about recovery in these sectors.

BVI has also been expanding its market beyond the SADC region to other parts of Africa, including initiatives in Uganda and Tanzania.

To better serve clients, BVI has implemented a comprehensive approach referred to as a total value proposition, offering technical support and customised solutions for vaccination strategies and challenges related to FMD management, he said.

This commitment to customer support, he said included understanding the specific viruses’ clients face and tailoring solutions accordingly.

He said quality management was another critical area of focus, with BVI moving toward obtaining multiple certifications to ensure high standards in operational processes.

Efforts were underway to secure Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licensing, which would further affirm the institute’s commitment to quality assurance.

To support the five-year strategic plan, Mr Madeswi said BVI had restructured its workforce, reducing staff from 115 to 90 in a move aimed at optimising efficiency and aligning capabilities with strategic goals.

Infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a new blending and filling facility, were also in progress to facilitate the production of a wider range of vaccines.

Looking ahead, Mr Madeswi indicated plans to expand vaccine production beyond FMD, including vaccinations for poultry, and to resume human vaccine production as indicated by a recent feasibility study. Ends